Lacrosse pocket protector

ABSTRACT

A lacrosse pocket protector is provided. The lacrosse pocket protector includes a body portion formed of semi flexible material. Further, the lacrosse pocket protector includes a first connector for coupling around a throat of a head of a lacrosse stick; a second connector for coupling to a top portion of the head of the lacrosse stick; and a third connector for coupling around side walls of the head of the lacrosse stick. The body portion is placed in a curved position in response to coupling the first connector and the second connector to the head of the lacrosse stick. Additionally, the lacrosse pocket protector is moveable between an engaged and a disengaged position. In the disengaged position, the lacrosse pocket protector may be coupled to the head of the lacrosse stick. In the engaged position, the lacrosse pocket protector may be secured around the head of the lacrosse stick.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S]

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applicationentitled “LACROSSE POCKET PROTECTOR,” Ser. No. 61/840 131, filed Jun.27, 2013, now pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedentirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a protector for a lacrosse pocket.More specifically, this invention relates to a lacrosse pocket protectorthat is removably securable to a head of a lacrosse stick to protectdamage to a pocket during storage and transport of the lacrosse stick.

2. State of the Art

The game of lacrosse is played with a stick having a handle, a head andmesh laced into the head. This lacrosse stick is also referred to as acrosse. One of the key features of the lacrosse stick is a pocket thatis formed into the mesh laced into the head. The pocket is utilized tocatch, hold and throw a ball during game play. Accordingly, lacrosseathletes have various preferences on the depth, shape and condition ofthe pocket. Once the pocket is formed, there is no viable form ofprotecting the pocket during storage or transportation of the lacrossestick.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lacrosse pocket protector forprotecting a pocket formed in a head of a lacrosse stick from damage andcrushing during storage and transport of the lacrosse stick.

According to embodiments, a lacrosse pocket protector comprises a bodyportion formed of semi flexible material. Further, it includes a firstconnector for coupling around a throat of a head of a lacrosse stick; asecond connector for coupling to a top portion of the head of thelacrosse stick; and a third connector for coupling around side walls ofthe head of the lacrosse stick. The body portion is placed in a curvedposition in response to coupling the first connector and the secondconnector to the head of the lacrosse stick.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more detailed description of theparticular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconnection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar items throughout the Figures, the Figures are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a lacrosse pocket protector with headconnection device and neck connection device each in an engagedposition;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a clip member of a lacrosse pocket protector;

FIG. 3 is front view of a neck connection device in a disengagedposition;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a lacrosse pocket protector with headconnection device and neck connection device each in a disengagedposition;

FIG. 5 is back view of a lacrosse pocket protector with head connectiondevice and neck connection device each in a disengaged position, thelacrosse pocket protector adjacent a lacrosse stick;

FIG. 6 is a back view of a lacrosse pocket protector coupled to alacrosse stick;

FIG. 7 is front view of a lacrosse pocket protector coupled to alacrosse stick;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a lacrosse pocket protector coupled to alacrosse stick;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lacrosse pocket protector coupled o alacrosse stick; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of using a lacrosse pocketprotector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to alacrosse pocket protector for protecting a pocket formed in a head of alacrosse stick from damage and crushing during storage and transport ofthe lacrosse stick. The protection and maintenance of the shape of thepocket is easily achieved with an embodiment of the invention in place.The ability to put the stick and pocket in a lacrosse bag, in the backseat or car trunk, loose can be achieved without damage to the integrityof the pocket. Furthermore the protector is adjustable to maintain theintegrity of most or all lacrosse heads, short and long stick.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 depicts an embodiment of a lacrossepocket protector 10 that is utilized to create a protective shelldirectly over but not in contact with a “legal” pocket. Generally, alacrosse pocket protector 10 includes a body portion 12, a firstconnector 16 and a second connector 18, Some embodiments also include athird connector 14. The body portion 12 is a semi flexible member,wherein the body portion 12 can bend a certain amount along a length ofthe body portion 12. The connectors 16, 18 and 14 are each repeatablyreleasable connectors that are utilized to attach the lacrosse pocketprotector to the head of a lacrosse stick.

The first connector 16, according to some embodiments, may be a strap.For example, first connector 16 may include a strap 30 having a firstside 32 and a second side 34. The first side 32 may be repeatably andreleasably coupled to the second side 34 through first and secondconnecting members respectively, such as, but not limited to, a hook andloop fastener. Accordingly, the first and second sides 32 and 34 of thestrap 30 with their respective first and second connecting members maybe used to connect the strap 30 as the strap 30 is wrapped around thethroat of the lacrosse head forming the first connector 16 around athroat of the head. In some embodiments, the first connector 16 includesa padded substrate connected to the strap, wherein the padded substrateof the strap protects from damage to the throat of the head to which itconnects.

The second connector 18, in some embodiments is a clip device. The clipdevice may include a hook member 20 and a tongue member 22, wherein theclip device 18 is configured to hook around the scoop portion of thelacrosse head. The scoop portion of the head is the casing on the topcenter front. The hook member 30 of the clip 18 couples over the scoopor casing on the top center front, he tongue member 22 flexes to gounder and behind the same piece to engage the hook member, forming alocking clip that is impact resistant. This clip 18, unique to itself,allows flexibility and has “give” or a range of movement when impactedto protect the head.

The third connector 14, according to some embodiments, may be a strapwith a connecting device. For example, third connector 14 may include astrap having a first portion 40 and a second portion 42. A firstconnecting member 46 is coupled to an end of the first portion 40 and asecond connecting member 48 is coupled to an end of the second portion42. The first connecting member 46 is repeatably and releasablyconnected to the second connecting member 48, such as, but not limitedto, a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a button, a buckle and the like.Accordingly, the connecting members 46 and 48 may be used to connect thestrap forming the third connector 14 around a sidewall portion of thehead. In some embodiments, the third connector 14 includes a paddedsubstrate connected to the strap, wherein the padded substrate of thestrap protects damage to the head to which it connects.

Connecting the first connector 16 and the second member 18 to thelacrosse head results in the body portion being flexed or bent into acurved position. When the first and second connectors 16 and 18 are inplace, the lacrosse pocket protector gives the entire web portion of thehead a protective shell protecting the integrity and retaining itsshape.

In embodiments with a third connector 14, the third connector 14provides additional support in the protection of the integrity and shapeof the head. Engaging the third connector 14 allows any contact from theunderside of the casing to push upward away from the pocket, furtherretaining the pocket shape. The third connector 14 also supports impactfrom the top absorbing and reacting in the opposite direction to weightor impact.

As can be seen specifically in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lacrosse pocketprotector 10 is moveable between an engaged position and a disengagedposition. FIG. 1 shows the lacrosse pocket protector 10 in an engagedposition, wherein the first connector 16 is engaged and the thirdconnector 14 is engaged, with second connector 18 ready for engagementwith a head of a lacrosse stick. FIG. 4 shows the lacrosse pocketprotector 10 in the disengaged position, wherein the first connector 16is disengaged and the third connector 14 is disengaged. Further, secondconnector 18 is not coupled to a head of a lacrosse stick.

Referring again to the drawings, FIGS. 5-9 depict the use of a lacrossepocket protector 10 with a lacrosse stick 60. The lacrosse stick 60includes a head 62 having a mesh coupled within the head 62 to form apocket 64. The head 62 includes a throat 68, wherein the throat 68 isconfigured to couple to a shaft 66. The lacrosse pocket protector 10 isplaced in the disengaged position, with the first and third connectors16 and 14 in a disengaged position. The second connector 18 is thencoupled to the scoop of the head 62 with a front surface 50 of the bodyportion 12 (See FIG. 1) facing the back side of the pocket 64. The firstconnector 16 may then be coupled around the throat 68 of the head 62.Securing the first connector 16 places the body portion 12 of thelacrosse pocket protector in an arced shaped, wherein the body portionbends at an arc from the top of the head 62 to the bottom, therebyforming a protection covering the pocket 64. Third connector 14 may thenbe secured around the sidewalk of the head 62. At this point, thelacrosse pocket protector 10 is in the engaged position coupled to thehead 62 of the lacrosse stick 60. Once the lacrosse pocket protector 10is secured in place, the lacrosse stick 60 may be transported easilywithout damaging the pocket 64.

In order to remove the lacrosse pocket protector 10, the first connectorand third connector 16 and 14 are moved into a disengaged position. Thesecond connector 18 is removed from being connected to the scoop portionof the head 62, wherein the tongue member 22 can be depressed and thehook member 20 slid off of the head 62.

As shown in FIG. 10, another embodiment of the present invention mayinclude a method 80 of sing a lacrosse pocket protector. The method 80may include placing a first and third connector of a lacrosse pocketprotector each in a disengaged position (Step 81); coupling a secondconnector of the lacrosse pocket protector to a top portion of alacrosse head (Step 82); coupling the first connector to a throat of thelacrosse head (Step 83); coupling the third connector to the lacrossehead (Step 84); and protecting the lacrosse pocket from damage (Step85).

Further, Step 82 of coupling the second connector to the top portion ofthe lacrosse head may comprise clipping the second connector around acasing on a op center of the lacrosse head. Step 83 of coupling thefirst connector to the throat of the lacrosse head comprises placing thefirst connector in an engaged position around a throat of the head. Step84 of coupling the third connector to the lacrosse head may alsocomprise placing the third connector in an engaged position around sidewalls of the lacrosse head.

Method 80 may also include placing a body portion of the lacrosse pocketprotector in a curved position in response to coupling the firstconnector and the second connector to the lacrosse head.

Accordingly, the components defining any lacrosse pocket protector maybe formed of any of many different types of materials or combinationsthereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that thecomponents selected are consistent with the intended operation of alacrosse pocket protector. For example, components may be formed of:rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses(such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combinationthereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics(such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate,Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy,Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), anycombination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/orother like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper,iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel,aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys,such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy,any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitablematerial; and/or any combination thereof

Furthermore, the components defining any lacrosse pocket protector maybe purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and thenassembled together. However, any or all of the components may bemanufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another.Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involveextrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding,resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling,reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding,soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. Ifany of the components are manufactured separately, they may then becoupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, afastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/orthe like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example,depending on, among other considerations, the particular materialforming the components. Other possible steps might include sandblasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hardanodizing, and/or painting the components for example.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order tobest explain the present invention and its practical application and tothereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use theinvention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat the foregoing description and examples have been presented for thepurposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forthis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit andscope of the forthcoming claims.

1. A lacrosse pocket protector comprising: a body portion formed ofsemi-flexible material; a first connector for coupling to a throat of ahead of a lacrosse stick; a second connector for coupling to a topportion of the head of the lacrosse stick; and a third connector forcoupling around side wails of the head of the lacrosse stick, whereinthe body portion is placed in a curved position in response to couplingthe first connector and the second connector to the head of the lacrossestick.
 2. The protector of claim 1, wherein the first connectorcomprises a strap having a first side and a second side for couplingaround the throat of the lacrosse head.
 3. The protector of claim 2,wherein the strap comprises a first connecting member coupled to thefirst side of the strap, and a second connecting member coupled to thesecond side of the strap.
 4. The protector of claim 3, wherein the firstconnecting member is a repeatably and releasably coupled to the secondconnecting member as the strap is wrapped around the throat of thelacrosse head.
 5. The protector of claim 1, wherein the first connectorcomprises a padded substrate for reducing damage to the throat of thelacrosse head.
 6. The protector of claim 1, wherein the second connectorcomprises a clip device.
 7. The protector of claim 6, wherein the clipdevice comprises a hook member and a flexible tongue member.
 8. Theprotector of claim 7, wherein the hook member couples over a casing on atop center from the lacrosse head and the tongue member is positionedunder and behind the casing on the top center to engage the hook member.9. The protector of claim 1, wherein the third connector comprises astrap having a first portion and a second portion for coupling aroundthe side walls of the lacrosse head.
 10. The protector of claim 9,wherein the strap comprises a first connecting member coupled to an endof the first portion of the strap, and a second connecting membercoupled to an end of the second portion of the strap.
 11. The protectorof claim 10, wherein the first connecting member is a repeatably andreleasably coupled to the second connecting member.
 12. The protector ofclaim 1, wherein the third connector comprises a padded substrate forreducing damage to the lacrosse head.
 13. A method of using a lacrossepocket protector, the method comprising: placing a first and thirdconnector of a lacrosse pocket protector each in a disengaged position;coupling a second connector of the lacrosse pocket protector to a topportion of a lacrosse head; coupling the first connector to a throat ofthe lacrosse head; coupling the third connector to the lacrosse head;and protecting the lacrosse pocket from damage.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein coupling the second connector to the top portion of thelacrosse head comprises clipping the second connector around a casing ona top center of the lacrosse head.
 15. The method of claim 13, whereincoupling the first connector to the throat of the lacrosse headcomprises placing the first connector in an engaged position around athroat of the head.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein coupling thethird connector to the lacrosse head comprises placing the thirdconnector in an engaged position around side walls of the lacrosse head.17. The method of claim 13, further comprising placing a body portion ofthe lacrosse pocket protector in a curved position in response tocoupling the first connector and the second connector to the lacrossehead.
 18. A lacrosse pocket protector comprising: a body portion formedof semi-flexible material; a first connector a strap having a first sideand a second side for coupling around the throat of a lacrosse head,wherein the strap comprises: a first connecting member coupled to thefirst side of the strap; and a second connecting member coupled to thesecond side of the strap, wherein the first connecting member is arepeatably and releasably coupled to the second connecting member as thestrap is wrapped around the throat of the lacrosse head; a secondconnector comprising a clip device, wherein the clip device comprises: ahook member and a flexible tongue member, wherein the hook membercouples over a casing on a top center from the lacrosse head and thetongue member is positioned under and behind the casing on the topcenter of the lacrosse head to engage the hook member; and a thirdconnector comprising a strap having a first portion and a second portionfor coupling around side walls of the lacrosse head, wherein the strapcomprises: a first connecting member coupled to an end of the firstportion of the strap; and a second connecting member coupled to an endof the second portion of the strap, wherein the first connecting memberis a repeatably and releasably coupled to the second connecting member,wherein the body portion is placed in a curved position in response tocoupling the first connector and the second connector to the head of thelacrosse stick.
 19. The protector of claim 18, wherein the firstconnector comprises a padded substrate for educing damage to the throatof the lacrosse head.
 20. The protector of claim 18, wherein the thirdconnector comprises a padded substrate for reducing damage to thelacrosse head.